Describing data transformations using markup language extensions

Abstract

Markup language inputs are received for generating a markup language description of an item to be rendered. The markup language inputs include in-line metadata describing a transformation to be performed on a data item before it is rendered. The markup language description, including the in-line metadata describing the transformation, is generated and presented for transformation and rendering.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 receiving a markup language authoring input; 
 identifying content based on the markup language authoring input; 
 receiving a transformation input indicative of a transformation to be performed on a portion of the content prior to rendering the portion of content; 
 generating a markup language description of the content based on the markup language authoring input and the transformation metadata input, wherein the markup language description is generated with extension attribute metadata that is separate from, and in line with, markup language rendering information,
 the markup language rendering information describing the content to be rendered by a rendering system, and 
 the extension attribute metadata comprising
 an extension attribute indicator, 
 a transformation identifier that includes markup language transformation metadata describing the transformation to be performed by the rendering system on the content prior to the rendering system rendering the portion of content, and 
 an element identifier that identifies an element in the markup language description that is to hold an output of the transformation; and 
 
 
 providing the generated markup language description to the rendering system to render the content. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  wherein the transformation to be performed on the portion of content comprises:
 changing a format of the portion of content. 
 
     
     
       3. The computer-implemented method of  claim 2  wherein the markup language description comprises a fallback indicator that indicates content to be rendered if the transformation fails. 
     
     
       4. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  and further comprising:
 rendering the markup language description. 
 
     
     
       5. The computer-implemented method of  claim 4  wherein rendering comprises:
 parsing the markup language description to identify the extension attribute metadata that identifies the transformation. 
 
     
     
       6. The computer-implemented method of  claim 5  wherein rendering Comprises:
 transforming an element of the content based on the markup language transformation metadata in the identified extension attribute metadata. 
 
     
     
       7. The computer-implemented method of  claim 6  wherein rendering comprises:
 rendering the content, using the markup language description, and rendering the transformed element as part of the rendered content. 
 
     
     
       8. A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving an authoring input; 
 identifying content based on the markup language authoring input; 
 receiving a transformation input indicative of a transformation to be performed on a portion of the content prior to rendering the portion of content; 
 generating a markup language description based on the authoring input and the transformation input, the markup language description describing the content; 
 prior to rendering the content,
 parsing the markup language description to identify an extension attribute that specifies the transformation to be performed on an element in the content, the transformation comprising a change to a format of the content, wherein parsing comprises identifying a metadata pattern in the markup language description that specifies, as part of the extension attribute, the element in the markup language description that is to hold the transformed element, when the content is rendered; and 
 transforming the element in the markup language description using the transformation 
 
 rendering the content, using the markup language description, with the transformed element as part of the rendered content. 
 
     
     
       9. The computer-implemented method of  claim 8  wherein receiving an authoring input comprises:
 receiving a markup language authoring input authoring a markup language description of content; and 
 receiving a markup language transformation metadata input describing the transformation to be performed on a portion of the content prior to rendering the portion of content. 
 
     
     
       10. The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein the extension attribute metadata is generated according to a pattern that includes the extension attribute indicator as an extension attribute literal, the a transformation identifier identifying the transformation to be performed, and the element identifier that identifies an element in the description that is to hold an output of the transformation. 
     
     
       11. The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein the markup language description comprises a fallback indicator that indicates content to be rendered if the transformation fails. 
     
     
       12. A computing system comprising:
 at least one processor; and 
 memory storing instructions executable by the at least one processor, wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the computing system to:
 receive a markup language authoring input; 
 identify content based on the markup language authoring input; 
 receive a transformation input indicative of a transformation to be performed on a portion of the content prior to rendering the portion of content, wherein the transformation comprises a change to a format of the portion of the content; 
 generate a markup language description of the content based on the markup language authoring input and the transformation input, wherein the markup language description is generated with extension attribute metadata that is separate from, and in line with, markup language rendering information, the markup language rendering information describing the content to be rendered by a rendering system; and
 the extension attribute metadata comprising:
 an extension attribute indicator, 
 a transformation identifier that includes markup language transformation metadata describing the transformation to be performed by the rendering system on the portion of the content prior to the rendering system rendering the portion of content; and 
 an element identifier that identifies an element in the markup language description that is to hold an output of the transformation; and 
 
 
 provide the generated markup language description to the rendering system to render the content. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The computing system of  claim 12  wherein the markup language description comprises a fallback indicator that indicates content to be rendered if the transformation fails. 
     
     
       14. The computing system of  claim 13  wherein the extension attribute metadata is generated according to a pattern that includes the extension attribute indicator as an extension attribute literal, the transformation identifier identifying the transformation to be performed, and the element identifier that identifies an element in the description that is to hold an output of the transformation. 
     
     
       15. The computing system of  claim 14  wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the computing system to:
 render the markup language description. 
 
     
     
       16. The computing system of  claim 15  wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the computing system to:
 parse the markup language description to identify the extension attribute metadata that identifies the transformation. 
 
     
     
       17. The computing system of  claim 16  wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the computing system to:
 transform an element of the content based cm the markup language transformation metadata in the identified extension attribute metadata. 
 
     
     
       18. The computing system of  claim 17  wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the computing system to:
 render the content, using the markup language description, and render the transformed element as part of the rendered content.